Long Ball Powers Billikens to Win Over SEMO

ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Billikens (13-9) won their second meeting against in-state rival Southeast Missouri State (11-11). Seniors Alex Kelly and C.J. Rose each hit home runs in the 7-6 thriller. Senior Marco Mejia (1-2) picks up the win and senior Jon Levin gets his first save of the season.

The Bills scored first, driving in a pair of runs in the third inning. Kelly hit and RBI single through the left side to score Rose. Mike Vigliarolo hit a sacrifice fly in the next at bat to score Jordan Hammerman and open up the game at 2-0.

SEMO answered back in the fourth with a double to left field that scored two. They took the lead on and RBI single later in the frame.

The Redhawks added to their lead in the sixth and seventh. Andy Lennington ripped a two run shot to left in the sixth. SEMO scored again in the seventh on a Billiken passed ball.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Saint Louis bats came roaring back. Rose hit his two run bomb to left two whittle the lead down to 6-4. The next hitter, Alec Solé came up with a single through the left side. He was driven in by Kelly's home run to tie the ballgame in the bottom of the seventh.

The Billikens scored the winning run in the eighth inning. Grant Nelson led off with a grounder to third that the Redhawk fielder overthrew to first. Jeremy Phillips came in to run for him, representing the go-ahead run. Danny Brennan hit a single to left field, moving Phillips to second. Both runners advanced on aMike Levine ground ball to first. With runners at second and third and two outs, the SEMO pitcher threw a wild pitch, allowing Phillips to score and SLU walked away with a victory.

Saint Louis will enter Atlantic 10 play this weekend with a meeting against Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. Last season, the Billikens and the Flyers finished with the same conference record, earning co-champion titles for both schools. However, SLU won the in season series with the Flyers, earning the top seed in the A-10 tournament; A tournament that Dayton won. Game one will be Friday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m.